While you were sleeping: 1st March 2017

John Stupart

John Stupart

John Stupart is the editor of the African Defence Review. He has completed his masters in War Studies at Kings College and has blathered endlessly on several mediums on all things pertaining to African defence policy, strategic, operational and tactical challenges. Most importantly, he brings you DailyMaverick's First Thing daily newsletter each morning.

Patronage and political agendas are not that sophisticated in South Africa. Scratch the surface and the network that connects a very vocal faction in the ANC, “paid twitter”, the “white minority capital” avengers, some state agencies and the Gupta family becomes evident. Despite an exhaustive campaign by the Guptas’ PR agency Bell Pottinger to manipulate public opinion, this has not worked. But the primary target of this network remains the finance ministry. The most recent attempt to discredit Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is to project him as unhinged. Once you follow the money trail, however, the agenda of people like crusader-in-chief Mzwanele (Jimmy) Manyi is exposed.

A theme of "America first" was the theme of Trump's address to Congress. Praising the emergence of a new "national pride", Trump promised to build a "great, great wall" along Mexico's border and announced plans to integrate an Australian-styled immigration system for foreigners. No word was made on whether this included prison-camp style immigrant islands.

Barack and Michelle Obama have secured a Penguin House book deal worth tens of millions of dollars. The former president and first lady will write their memoirs of their time in the White House, with Barack Obama hoping to pen an "unconventional" manner of book, bucking convention.

YouTube has announced paid-for service in the United States. Airing networks such as ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC, as well as live sports, the streaming service is a direct competitor to established television channels as well as Google's own streaming offering. Costing $35 a month, with six user accounts, the service is expected to be extended in availability to other markets outside the US "soon".

Exercise "Foal Eagle" has kicked off, involving thousands of Korean and American troops. Held annually, the drills generate the typical diplomatic froth from the North. This year was no different, with Dear Leader instructing North Korean generals to prepare for a "merciless strike" against the South. Although total troop figures were not announced, 2016's exercise saw at least 300,000 South Korean soldiers partner with 17,000 Americans.

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IN NUMBERS

1835

The last time the United States was debt free. It lasted exactly one year.

FACTS OF THE DAY

Today in 1936 the Hoover Dam is completed.

Dave Grohl once tried to quit Nirvana after overhearing Kurt Cobain call him a "shitty drummer". Their manager convinced him to stay.

John Stupart is the editor of the African Defence Review. He has completed his masters in War Studies at Kings College and has blathered endlessly on several mediums on all things pertaining to African defence policy, strategic, operational and tactical challenges. Most importantly, he brings you DailyMaverick's First Thing daily newsletter each morning.